Melbourne Victory produced arguably its best performance of the season to claim a 2-1 Derby win over City on Saturday.
Summary
A first-half brace from Ola Toivonen led Victory to a deserved win at AAMI Park.
Harrison Delbridge pulled a goal back for City in the second half and Victory squandered late chances but held on for three points.
Victory created a great chance in the 10th minute.
Tim Hoogland’s flick-on header found Elvis Kamsoba, whose volley was saved by City goalkeeper Tom Glover, with Andrew Nabbout putting the rebound wide.
Victory found a deserved opener through Toivonen’s sixth of the campaign in the 15th minute.
Kamsoba played a pass to Nabbout, whose cross to the back post was headed in by Toivonen.
The tempo of the Derby slowed after the opening goal before Toivonen doubled Victory’s lead prior to half-time.
Migjen Basha’s pass found Nabbout, whose first-time cross was turned at Glover by City defender Curtis Good, the rebound falling for Toivonen to nod in.
Just six minutes into the second half and Victory should have gone 3-0 up, but Nabbout fired wide in a one-on-one with Glover after Kamsoba’s nice pass.
City halved the deficit in the 56th minute, Delbridge heading in a Javier Cabrera cross.
Basha forced a save from Glover eight minutes later, the goalkeeper diving to his right to stop the midfielder’s effort.
He almost made it 3-1 moments later, only for his header from a Jakob Poulsen corner to be cleared off the line by City full-back Scott Galloway.
Victory had another opportunity in the 82nd minute, but Nabbout headed an Adama Traore cross wide before Kamsoba went close and Kruse was denied by Glover.
Player in focus
Key moment
What they said – Hoogland
on the atmosphere…
“Unbelievable – a big thanks to our crowd. It was amazing, exactly what we needed so it’s great that everyone has a good Christmas in the Victory family.”
on creating chances…
“I think we had to score the 3-0 and then I think it’s game over, but with the corner it was a little bit difficult when they came to 2-1, but I think it was a big fighting spirit from our team and we created a lot of chances. I’m happy and I hope we will do this in the next games as well.”
on the upcoming bye…
“I think from my point of view it’s not as bad that we have the bye round, but anyway I think we as Victory, we have to go on the pitch and want to win every game and I think that was a good example and we have to go forward.”
Result
Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Round 11
City 1 (Harrison Delbridge 56′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Ola Toivonen 15’/41′)
Melbourne Victory: Thomas (gk); Lesiotis, Hoogland, Donachie, Traore; Basha, Broxham; Nabbout, Kamsoba (Roux 90+4′), Kruse; Toivonen (c) (Poulsen 62′).
Wellington Phoenix: Glover (gk); Galloway, Good, Delbridge, Jamieson (c); Luna, Brillante, Metcalfe; Cabrera (Atkinson 82′), Maclaren, Noone (Wales 69′).
Yellow cards: Nabbout 50′, Luna 54′, Lesiotis 58′, Kamsoba 67′, Toivonen 90+2′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: TBA
Venue: AAMI Park
Next up
Victory is back in action in the Hyundai A-League against the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park on January 5.
